Coin of Maydus under Severus c. 3th century

Curator: This is a coin of Maydus under Severus Alexander, residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It has a wonderfully weathered, almost geological, texture. I imagine holding it would give a real sense of deep time. Curator: Absolutely. As a symbol, the coin represents power, trade, and the emperor's image, but also the enduring nature of Roman influence. Editor: And think of the labor involved, from mining the metal to die-cutting to the sheer number of these produced. Currency as a feat of mass production. Curator: It's a potent reminder of the link between visual symbols and the control exerted by the state. Power, made manifest in metal. Editor: Yes, a humble artifact, yet it speaks volumes about the material foundations of empire.